2010_Inclusion

2010 European Year for Combating Poverty & Social Exclusion: http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu

The Commission and Parliament designate 2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, in order to make "a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty" .

At same time recommended focusing on ‘Active inclusion’ based on three inseparable and complementary pillars:

1. assistance for a sufficient minimum income,

2. inclusive labour markets,

3. access to quality services.

The European Year 2010 aims to: http://ec.europa.eu/social/home.jsp?langId=en

Recognise the rights and capacity of excluded people to play an active part in society;
Underline the responsibility of everyone in society to tackle poverty;
Promote social cohesion and disseminate successful practices on inclusion;
Reinforce the commitment of all major political players to take more effective actions.

Poverty & exclusion:

79 million people in the EU – or 16% of the population, and 19% of the children – are currently at risk of poverty.
According to the EU-agreed definition, people are considered at risk of poverty when they live on an income below 60% of the median household income of their own country.
Across the EU, people feel that around 1 in 3 people (29%) in their area live in poverty and that 1 in 10 suffers extreme poverty.
Until October 16, 2008, all 27 Member States have developed multi-annual national action plans. Before 2000, only three Member States had such strategies in place. The EU's involvement encourages high standards based on commonly agreed objectives, while each country can implement policies adapted to the national context.

2009 Today: In reference to the 79 million people currently living at risk of poverty in the
    Member States, the text observes that the ''state of affairs is in clear contradiction to key shared values of the
     European Union and needs to be tackled through resolute and credible action''.
     Reports of the Commission show that over 100 million people live on an income equivalent to a maximum
     of 22 euros a day''

2006 Evaluation of Lisbon Strategy:

The true causes of poverty and exclusion are far from being eradicated in Europe.

Eu. Council Common Report 2006. http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/joint_reports_en.htm

2000 Lisbon Strategy:

The number of people living below the poverty line and in social exclusion in the Union is unacceptable.

Steps must be taken to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty (... by 2010 !) by setting adequate targets to be agreed by the Council by the end of the year. The new knowledge-based society offers tremendous potential for reducing social exclusion, both by creating the economic conditions for greater prosperity through higher levels of growth and employment, and by opening up new ways of participating in society. N° 32 of LISBON EUROPEAN COUNCIL 23 AND 24 MARCH 2000 PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/summits/lis1_en.htm

2010 to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion